Proton exchange membrane electrolyzer

ABSTRACT

A proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyzer for breaking down water to hydrogen and oxygen comprises a titanium anode, a catalyst-coated membrane, a titanium cathode, and a power source. The titanium anode is configured to receive water from a water source. The titanium anode liberates oxygen and protons. The catalyst-coated membrane is operably connected to the titanium anode via gas diffusion layer (titanium frits and titanium mesh). The catalyst-coated membrane is configured to permit protons to permeate from the anode to the cathode. The titanium cathode is configured to receive the protons that have migrated through the membrane. The received protons accept electrons from the power source to form hydrogen. The power source is electrically connected across the titanium anode and the titanium cathode. The power source completes an electric circuit between the cathode and the anode for breaking down the water to hydrogen and oxygen.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention disclosed herein generally relates to a proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyzers. More particularly, the invention relates to a PEM electrolyzer having components fabricated from titanium only.

BACKGROUND

Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) electrolyzers are devices that break down molecules of water into hydrogen and oxygen using electricity. Typically, electrolyzers contain an anode for receiving water and producing oxygen, and a cathode where the hydrogen is produced. At the anode, water is oxidized, leaving oxygen, H+-ions, and free electrons. While the oxygen gas can be collected directly at the anode, protons migrate through the proton exchange membrane to the cathode where they are reduced to hydrogen (the electrons for this are provided by the external circuit). The reaction at the cathode is represented as: 4H⁺+4e−→2H₂. The reaction at the anode is represented as: 2H₂O→4H⁺+4e⁻+O₂.

Typically, expensive materials such as gold or platinum plating are used to construct or coat the electrode plates and other internal components, for example, wire mesh, screens, carbon cloth with embedded platinum, etc. The use of materials such as gold or platinum greatly increases the cost of production of an electrolyzer. Since such electrolyzers are very expensive, and unaffordable, it has resulted in substantial reduction in usage for daily applications, for example, welding, brazing etc. As a result, there is a need for economical and affordable electrolyzers for daily application.

Hence, there is a long felt but unresolved need for an electrolyzer, which is economical, affordable, and robust.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further disclosed in the detailed description of the invention. This summary is not intended to identify key or essential inventive concepts of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended for determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

The proton exchange membrane electrolyzer disclosed herein addresses the above-mentioned need for an electrolyzer, which is economical and affordable for daily application. The proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyzer for breaking down water into hydrogen and oxygen, disclosed herein, comprises a titanium anode, custom catalyst-coated membranes, a titanium neutral plate, a titanium cathode, titanium frits, titanium mesh, rubber gaskets, compression end plates to compress the mentioned components together, and a power source. The titanium anode of the PEM electrolyzer is configured to receive distilled water from a water source. The titanium anode liberates oxygen and protons. The catalyst-coated membrane is operably connected to the titanium anode and the cathode side of the titanium neutral plate via gas diffusion layer (titanium frits and titanium mesh). The catalyst-coated membrane is configured to permit protons to permeate from the titanium anode to the titanium cathode side of the titanium neutral plate. The cathode side is configured to receive the protons that have migrated through the catalyst-coated membrane. The received protons accept electrons from the power source to form hydrogen. The anode side of the titanium neutral plate is configured to receive distilled water from a water source to liberate oxygen and protons. The catalyst-coated membrane is operably connected to the titanium anode side of the titanium neutral plate and titanium cathode plate via a gas diffusion layer (Titanium frits and titanium mesh). The catalyst-coated membrane is configured to permit protons to permeate from the anode side of the titanium neutral plate to the titanium cathode. The power source is electrically connected across the titanium anode and the titanium cathode. The power source completes an electric circuit between the titanium cathode and the titanium anode for breaking down water to hydrogen and oxygen.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of the invention, is better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, exemplary constructions of the invention are shown in the drawings which is a two stack (two-cell or two-proton exchange membrane) electrolyzer. However, the invention is not limited to the specific methods and structures disclosed herein. The description of a method step or a structure referenced by a numeral in a drawing is applicable to the description of that method step or structure shown by that same numeral in any subsequent drawing herein.

FIG. 1 exemplarily illustrates a front perspective view of a proton exchange membrane electrolyzer based on 2stack (two cell) system.

FIG. 2A exemplarily illustrates a front elevation view of an end plate of a proton exchange membrane electrolyzer.

FIG. 2B exemplarily illustrates a front elevation view of a rubber gasket of a proton exchange membrane electrolyzer.

FIG. 2C exemplarily illustrates a front elevation view of an anode plate of a proton exchange membrane electrolyzer.

FIG. 2D exemplarily illustrates a front elevation view of a rubber gasket on the oxygen side of a proton exchange membrane electrolyzer.

FIG. 2E exemplarily illustrates a front elevation view of titanium mesh of a proton exchange membrane electrolyzer.

FIG. 2F exemplarily illustrates a front elevation view of a titanium frit of a proton exchange membrane electrolyzer.

FIG. 2G exemplarily illustrates a front elevation view of a compression ring of a proton exchange membrane electrolyzer.

FIG. 2H exemplarily illustrates a front elevation view of a compression gasket of a proton exchange membrane electrolyzer.

FIG. 2I exemplarily illustrates a front elevation view of a catalyst-coated membrane of a proton exchange membrane electrolyzer.

FIG. 2J exemplarily illustrates a front elevation view of a compression gasket of a proton exchange membrane electrolyzer.

FIG. 2K exemplarily illustrates a front elevation view of a compression ring of a proton exchange membrane electrolyzer.

FIG. 2L exemplarily illustrates a front elevation view of a titanium frit of a proton exchange membrane electrolyzer.

FIG. 2M exemplarily illustrates a front elevation view of a titanium mesh of a proton exchange membrane electrolyzer.

FIG. 2N exemplarily illustrates a front elevation view of a rubber gasket on the hydrogen side of a proton exchange membrane electrolyzer.

FIG. 2O exemplarily illustrates a front elevation view of a neutral plate of a proton exchange membrane electrolyzer.

FIG. 2P exemplarily illustrates a front elevation view of a rubber gasket on the oxygen side of a proton exchange membrane electrolyzer.

FIG. 2Q exemplarily illustrates a front elevation view of a titanium mesh of a proton exchange membrane electrolyzer.

FIG. 2R exemplarily illustrates a front elevation view of a titanium frit of a proton exchange membrane electrolyzer.

FIG. 2S exemplarily illustrates a front elevation view of a titanium compression ring of a proton exchange membrane electrolyzer.

FIG. 2T exemplarily illustrates a front elevation view of a compression rubber gasket of a proton exchange membrane electrolyzer.

FIG. 2U exemplarily illustrates a front elevation view of a catalyst-coated membrane of a proton exchange membrane electrolyzer.

FIG. 2V exemplarily illustrates a front elevation view of a compression rubber gasket of a proton exchange membrane electrolyzer.

FIG. 2W exemplarily illustrates a front elevation view of a titanium compression ring of a proton exchange membrane electrolyzer.

FIG. 2X exemplarily illustrates a front elevation view of a titanium frit of a proton exchange membrane electrolyzer.

FIG. 2Y exemplarily illustrates a front elevation view of a rubber gasket on the hydrogen side of a proton exchange membrane electrolyzer.

FIG. 2Z exemplarily illustrates a front elevation view of a titanium mesh of a proton exchange membrane electrolyzer.

FIG. 2AA exemplarily illustrates a front elevation view of a titanium cathode plate of a proton exchange membrane electrolyzer.

FIG. 2BB exemplarily illustrates a rear elevation view of a titanium cathode plate of a proton exchange membrane electrolyzer.

FIG. 2CC exemplarily illustrates a front elevation view of a rubber gasket of a proton exchange membrane electrolyzer.

FIG. 2DD exemplarily illustrates an elevation view of a compression end plate with a water inlet, a hydrogen port, and an oxygen gas port.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 exemplarily illustrates a perspective view of a proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyzer 100. In an embodiment, the PEM electrolyzer 100 is constructed with one stack (one cell) or multiple stacks depending on the amount of hydrogen and oxygen required for a specific application. In an embodiment, the proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyzer 100 is a device for breaking down water to hydrogen and oxygen. In one embodiment, the PEM electrolyzer 100 comprises a titanium anode 101, two catalyst-coated membrane (membrane electrode assembly) 102, a titanium cathode 103, a titanium neutral plate 109, and a power source. The titanium anode 101 is exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 2C. The catalyst-coated membrane 102 is exemplarily illustrated in FIGS. 2I and 2U. The titanium cathode 103 is exemplarily illustrated in FIGS. 2AA-2BB. The titanium neutral plate 109 is exemplarily illustrated in FIGS. 2O and 2P. In one embodiment, the PEM electrolyzer 100 comprises a titanium anode 101 configured to receive distilled water from a water source. The titanium anode 101 liberates oxygen and protons. The catalyst-coated membrane 102 is operably connected to the titanium anode 101 via titanium frits 105 a and titanium mesh 105 b, exemplarily illustrated in FIGS. 2F and 2E respectively, which permits protons to migrate from the titanium anode 101 to the cathode side of the titanium neutral plate 109, exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 2O. On the other side of the titanium neutral plate 109, the process repeats where oxygen and protons are liberated. The catalyst-coated membrane 102 is operably connected to the titanium cathode 103. The titanium cathode 103 is configured to receive the protons for reacting with electrons from a power source to liberate hydrogen.

In an embodiment, the power source is electrically connected across the titanium anode 101 and the titanium cathode 103. In one embodiment, the power source completes an electric circuit between the titanium cathode 103 and the titanium anode 101 for breaking down the water to hydrogen and oxygen. In an embodiment, a gas diffusion layer made of titanium frits 105 a and titanium mesh 105 b is provided. Compression end plates 104B and 104A, exemplarily illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2DD respectively, enclose and compress all of the components of the PEM electrolyzer 100 there between. In an embodiment, the entire assembly of the PEM electrolyzer 100 is fastened and compressed together using fasteners 106. In an embodiment, the water inlet 104 a, hydrogen outlet 104 b, and water/oxygen outlet 104 c is configured on the compression end plates 104A and 104B as exemplarily illustrated in FIGS. 2DD and 1 respectively.

The proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyzer 100 with custom catalyst coating (MEA) is a form of water electrolysis that utilizes proton exchange membrane 102 using only distilled water. In an embodiment, the voltage rating of the power source ranges from 3.3V to 4V DC for 2-cell system. Typically, this PEM electrolyzer 100 requires 1.65 to 2 volts per cell, and the current rating ranges from about zero to 160 A DC. The separate streams of Oxygen and Hydrogen are about 99.999% pure. The components of the PEM electrolyzer 100 are built using only titanium parts, thus reducing the cost by as much as 65%, while maintaining high efficiency. Both the hydrogen and the oxygen side of the PEM electrolyzer 100 can be pressurized up to 70 PSI. The PEM electrolyzer 100 is affordable enough to be used in welding, brazing, and jewelry industry as well as for educational purposes in high schools, colleges, medical labs, etc. The construction of the components of the PEM electrolyzer 100 using only titanium has reduced the production cost and therefore increased the affordability among users.

FIG. 2A exemplarily illustrates a front elevation view of a compression end plate 104A of a proton exchange membrane electrolyzer 100. Compression end plates 104A and 104B (shown in FIGS. 2DD and 1) enclose and compress all of the internal components of the PEM electrolyzer 100. In an embodiment, the entire assembly of the PEM electrolyzer 100 is fastened together using fasteners 106 as exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 2B exemplarily illustrates a front elevation view of a rubber gasket 107D of a proton exchange membrane electrolyzer 100.

FIG. 2C exemplarily illustrates a front elevation view of a titanium anode 101 plate of a proton exchange membrane electrolyzer 100.

FIG. 2D exemplarily illustrates a front elevation view of a rubber gasket 107A on the oxygen side of a proton exchange membrane electrolyzer 100.

FIG. 2E exemplarily illustrates a front elevation view of titanium mesh 105 b of a proton exchange membrane electrolyzer 100.

FIG. 2F exemplarily illustrates a front elevation view of a titanium frit 105 a of a proton exchange membrane electrolyzer 100.

FIG. 2G exemplarily illustrates a front elevation view of a compression ring 108 of a proton exchange membrane electrolyzer 100.

FIG. 2H exemplarily illustrates a front elevation view of a compression gasket 107C of a proton exchange membrane electrolyzer 100.

FIG. 2I exemplarily illustrates a front elevation view of a catalyst-coated membrane 102 of a proton exchange membrane electrolyzer 100.

FIG. 2J exemplarily illustrates a front elevation view of a compression gasket 107C of a proton exchange membrane electrolyzer 100.

FIG. 2K exemplarily illustrates a front elevation view of a compression ring 108 of a proton exchange membrane electrolyzer 100.

FIG. 2L exemplarily illustrates a front elevation view of a titanium frit 105 a of a proton exchange membrane electrolyzer 100.

FIG. 2M exemplarily illustrates a front elevation view of a titanium mesh 105 b of a proton exchange membrane electrolyzer 100.

FIG. 2N exemplarily illustrates a front elevation view of a rubber gasket 107B on the hydrogen side of a proton exchange membrane electrolyzer 100.

FIG. 2O exemplarily illustrates a front elevation view of a cathode side of a neutral plate 109 of a proton exchange membrane electrolyzer 100.

FIG. 2P exemplarily illustrates a front elevation view of an anode side of the neutral plate 109 and the rubber gasket 107A on the oxygen side of a proton exchange membrane electrolyzer 100.

FIG. 2Q exemplarily illustrates a front elevation view of a titanium mesh 105 b of a proton exchange membrane electrolyzer 100.

FIG. 2R exemplarily illustrates a front elevation view of a titanium frit 105 a of a proton exchange membrane electrolyzer 100.

FIG. 2S exemplarily illustrates a front elevation view of a titanium compression ring 108 of a proton exchange membrane electrolyzer 100.

FIG. 2T exemplarily illustrates a front elevation view of a compression rubber gasket 107C of a proton exchange membrane electrolyzer 100.

FIG. 2U exemplarily illustrates a front elevation view of a catalyst-coated membrane 102 of a proton exchange membrane electrolyzer 100.

FIG. 2V exemplarily illustrates a front elevation view of a compression rubber gasket 107C of a proton exchange membrane electrolyzer 100.

FIG. 2W exemplarily illustrates a front elevation view of a titanium compression ring 108 of a proton exchange membrane electrolyzer 100.

FIG. 2X exemplarily illustrates a front elevation view of a titanium frit 105 a of a proton exchange membrane electrolyzer 100.

FIG. 2Y exemplarily illustrates a front elevation view of a rubber gasket 107B on the hydrogen side of a proton exchange membrane electrolyzer 100.

FIG. 2Z exemplarily illustrates a front elevation view of a titanium mesh 105 b of a proton exchange membrane electrolyzer 100.

FIG. 2AA exemplarily illustrates a front elevation view of a titanium cathode 103 plate of a proton exchange membrane electrolyzer 100. FIG. 2BB exemplarily illustrates a rear elevation view of a titanium cathode 103 of a proton exchange membrane electrolyzer 100.

FIG. 2CC exemplarily illustrates a front elevation view of a rubber gasket 107E of a proton exchange membrane electrolyzer 100. The rubber gasket 107E is positioned between the compression plate 104B and against the back of the titanium cathode 103 exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 2BB.

FIG. 2DD exemplarily illustrates an elevation view of a compression end plate 104B. In an embodiment, the water inlet 104, hydrogen outlet 104 b, and water/oxygen outlet 104 c is configured on the compression end plates 104B and 104A as exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2DD. The compression end plate 104A is further inserted with rubber gasket 107E as exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 2DD.

The foregoing examples have been provided merely for the purpose of explanation and are in no way to be construed as limiting of the proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyzer 100, disclosed herein. While the PEM electrolyzer 100 has been described with reference to various embodiments, it is understood that the words, which have been used herein, are words of description and illustration, rather than words of limitation. Further, although the PEM electrolyzer 100, has been described herein with reference to particular means, materials, and embodiments, the PEM electrolyzer 100 is not intended to be limited to the particulars disclosed herein; rather, the PEM electrolyzer 100 extends to all functionally equivalent structures, methods and uses, such as are within the scope of the appended claims. Those skilled in the art, having the benefit of the teachings of this specification, may effect numerous modifications thereto and changes may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the PEM electrolyzer 100 disclosed herein in their aspects. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyzer for breaking down water to hydrogen and oxygen, the proton exchange membrane electrolyzer using only titanium components comprising: a titanium anode of the PEM electrolyzer configured to receive water from a water source, wherein the titanium anode liberates oxygen and protons; a catalyst-coated membrane operably connected to the titanium anode via titanium frits, and a titanium mesh, the catalyst coated membrane configured to permit protons to permeate from the titanium anode to a titanium cathode; the titanium cathode is operably connected to the catalyst-coated membrane via the titanium frits and the titanium mesh, wherein the titanium cathode is configured to receive the protons, and wherein the received protons accept electrons from a power source to release hydrogen; and the power source electrically connected across the titanium anode and the titanium cathode, wherein the power source completes an electric circuit between the titanium cathode and the titanium anode for breaking down the water to hydrogen and oxygen. 